It’s magical when nature and children come together, and what better place to make this happen than in the spaces where children spend their days?
As early childhood programs make the shift to learning outdoors, comprehensive benefits include improved health and wellbeing, creative problem solving, and an increased connection to and care for the natural world. And yet, successful outdoor classrooms rely on more than ‘just’ nature. We’ll share proven design principles and process guidelines so you, too, can create a unique, nature-rich space that will enhance community and connection, fostering a sense of belonging for both children and adults. We’ll share the process and results from outdoor classrooms as diverse as a South Phoenix farmer’s market, a Los Angeles public preschool, an American School in Morocco, and a backyard family child care in Texas, exploring the natural and built elements that create the type of environment to foster a strong sense of community.
What lessons can we learn from programs that have come before? What steps will set you on the path to success with your outdoor classroom? Be ready to explore the answers together.
Through this talk, you will:
- Understand the features and benefits of nature-rich outdoor classrooms for fostering community and a sense of belonging.
- Learn how programs around the world have applied a clear set of design principles to create outdoor spaces that each uniquely reflect and support their communities.
- Consider Four Attainable Steps to tackle existing challenges and barriers to implementing a nature-rich outdoor classroom. These include (1) building community engagement, (2) designing with an intentional framework (3) cost-conscious decision making, (4) planning for long-term success.
